10 Tasty and Frugal Chickpea Recipes

Chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans) are one of the healthiest legumes on the planet. They are a great source fiber, and they offer digestive support, better regulation of blood sugar, and a unique supply of antioxidants. They're also heart healthy and could lower the risk of breast cancer. What's more, in a recent study, those who ate garbanzo beans consumed less food overall, so they're also a great way to curb your appetite. And they're one of the most affordable legumes on the planet, so that's important to note too! (See also: Cheap and Healthy Filler Foods)

Below are 10 ways to use chickpeas besides just hummus and falafel (although don't discount those ways — they're delicious). Almost all of the recipes below are vegetarian, and all of them are definitely pescatarian.

1. Couscous With Chickpeas, Tomato, and Edamame

This is my absolute favorite couscous recipe. Using couscous, feta, canned tomato, edamame, and green onions, it's quick and yields quite a few meals. It's good as a side dish or as a main dish. You can also make it even cheaper by leaving out the edamame.

2. Roasted Chickpeas

Having friends over for a game night any time soon? These roasted chickpeas make for a fast and frugal snack, and an alternative to peanuts or almonds. Simply toss the chickpeas in olive oil and season with garlic salt, cayenne pepper, and salt. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. For a more typical chickpea party food, check out this recipe for sweet roasted red pepper and feta hummus.

3. Garlic Shrimp and Chickpeas

The seafood in this shrimp and garbanzo bean recipe makes it sound like it could be expensive, but frozen, uncooked shrimp are often on sale at the supermarket. Otherwise, the chickpeas and all the other ingredients might already be in your pantry, ready for cooking. Pair with rice or steamed vegetables, and you've got a healthy meal. (See also: 70 Shrimp Recipes)

4. Sweet Potato Curry With Spinach and Chickpeas

This curry recipe is vegetarian and features sweet potatoes, spinach, sweet onions, and basic curry spices. Do like the recipe says, and serve over rice.

5. Creamy Chickpea and Rosemary Soup

This chickpea and rosemary soup is easy and delicious, with garlic, rosemary, red pepper flakes, chicken broth, and lemon juice. To make, you'll need a blender. After cooking everything except the lemon juice, blend together and add the lemon juice and sea salt to taste. (See also: 5 Best Blenders)

6. Easy Chickpea Burgers

Not sure what to make tonight? These chickpea burgers only take about 15 minutes. The ingredients are simpler to obtain than falafel. Along with chickpeas, you'll need cannellini beans, garlic powder, bread crumbs, flour, paprika, and sunflower oil. If you don't have sunflower oil, you can use corn, vegetable, and canola. After they're cooked, either put them on buns or crumble them on a salad.

7. Chickpea Casserole With Lemon, Herbs, and Shallots

This casserole recipe is from The Kitchn, which is one of my favorite blogs. Along with the ingredients listed in the title, add healthy brown rice, and various dairy products (cottage cheese, plain yogurt, and eggs). Simply mix the ingredients together and spread into a casserole dish. Top with Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs and either bake immediately or refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

8. Lemon Pepper Garbanzo Salad

This lemon pepper garbanzo salad is great as a side dish or paired with chips. Combine garbanzo beans with black beans, and add celery, red and green bell peppers, and red onions. Season with cilantro, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic, cumin, apple cider vinegar, and lime juice. Let the salad sit for one hour, and serve. (See also: 5 Healthy, Homemade Salad Dressings)

9. Smoky Chickpea Tacos

These chickpea tacos are a unique twist on the Mexican staple. For this recipe, you'll need onions, jalapenos, and paprika to season the chickpeas; and avocados, tomatoes, arugula, goat cheese, and lime juice to fill the tortillas. If you can't find ripe avocados, buy some premade guacamole.

10. Garbanzo Bean Brownies

To finish this list, I found a recipe for dessert. Garbanzo bean brownies are a great alternative for those who have a gluten allergy. Using the normal ingredients of brownies sans flour and adding dark chocolate chips, cinnamon, and confectioner's sugar, these brownies make for a great end to a meal. There is no difference in taste, only consistency as these brownies have the consistency of fudge. Make sure to refrigerate the leftovers!